1999-11-29

There may be a prop or even an instrument out ofwhich a sound may come, which is a "subcontrabasssaxophone" in size and pitch. But is it a realinstrument. No, it's not. And there probably have beennone of these saxophones ever built. But I have to address a deeper issue here; we mightlike contrabass instruments, but that's because we'rea bunch of insecure little men who cling tightly toour gigantic toys as the ultimate phallic symbol. But we're not typical. We're probably the only
peopleon earth who enjoy really low-pitched horns. Mostpeople would not like to hear such a low pitch from asubcontrabass sax. Really, it wouldn't even bemusical, and all you'd hear would be the slaps of thereed. And if a note did come out, it would soundfairly nasty. People like melodic instruments (flute,oboe, alto sax, clarinet, cello, etc.) and the playersof these instruments get rich and famous becausepeople love their sound. Few people would want toinvest the funds and time to build such a largesaxophone. An instrument like that is all looks anyway. It
mightbe fun to look at and it might attract attention, butthat's really it; it's just a sight gag. People likereal instruments. Once an instrument gets THAT LOW,it's not even real anymore, just a joke or a novelty. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE contrabass instruments.But as William Shatner said, "Get a Life." Ourinstruments give us power like guns, or tanks, orcomputers give other little men power!!!

-Adam__________________________________________________Do You Yahoo!?Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products.
All in one place.Yahoo! Shopping: http://shopping.yahoo.com---------------------------------------------------------

Get your facts straight, the theoretical BBb subcontrabass
saxophone's lowestnote would be no lower than one whole step lower than
the low C BBbcontrabass clarinet's and the contrabassoon's lowest
concert BBb. And if yourcalling contrabassoons and contrabass clarinets jokes,
then I don't believe Iwould be alone in asking you to leave this mailing list.

Stuart

<< Most people would not like to hear such a low pitch
from a subcontrabass sax. Really, it wouldn't even be musical, and all you'd hear would be the slaps
of the reed.>><< An instrument like that is all looks
anyway. It might be fun to look at and it might attract attention,
but that's really it; it's just a sight gag. People
like real instruments. Once an instrument gets THAT
LOW, it's not even real anymore, just a joke or a novelty.>>---------------------------------------------------------

Just out of curiosity, how hard would it be to make an
Alternate bell forbassoon extending one whole step lower? Has anyone
tried this? I saw of webpic of a man who made his own contrabassoon so surely
this can't beimpossible. Would it lose tone quality? I've
even checked the distancesbetween the tone holes on the bassoon's long and bell
joint to attempt to getmeasurements. However, the distances don't look
right. For instance, thedistance between the C and C# holes (The C hole being
the hole that iscovered to produce the note C) seems (to me at least)
to be greater than thedistance between the C and B holes? Any thoughs?---------------------------------------------------------

>Once an instrument gets THAT LOW,>it's not even real anymore, just a joke or a novelty.

Actually, a Subcontabass Sax would only go to the Ab one
whole step below theContrabassoon (Which is a mainstay in orchestras around
the world) or a HalfStep below a common piano (Arguably the most common instrument
in the world). It may be large low and heavy, but it certainly
wouldn't be unconcievable asyou imply

just my two cents---------------------------------------------------------

I was watching the Thanksgiving parade in Pittsburgh on
Saturday and saw aguy marching with a Bass Sax in the Mummers (sp?) Band.
I think they areout of Philadelphia? I bet he was sore the next
day from carrying it.

The Cobb Wind Symphony has one more rehearsal 12/5 at
3:00 pm beforeour first performance 12/12 at 3:00 pm. I'm presently
covering bothalto clarinet and contra-bass clarinet parts. (I
hate having a partmissing.) However, some of the music has harmonically
important partsfor both instruments, esp. Alfred Reed's Russian Christmas
Music(exposed clarinet choir).

If you're in Atlanta, play either of these instruments
and can makethose dates, please contact me.